James Van Der Beek has shared details of his own experiences being sexually harassed by unnamed “older, powerful men”, while calling the accusations against Harvey Weinstein “criminal”.

The former Dawson’s Creek actor is one of the latest stars to condemn the film producer, who has a growing number of sexual harassment allegations made against him from a number of women in the industry.

In a series of tweets, the 40-year-old actor said he can relate to the women who had kept silent for so long, because he has also endured unwanted attention of a sexual nature.

Harvey Weinstein

He said he can understand the “unwarranted shame, powerlessness and inability to blow the whistle”.

Van Der Beek wrote: “For anyone judging the women who stayed silent, read this for perspective. Also for anyone brushing off harassment as ‘boys being boys.’

For anyone judging the women who stayed silent, read this for perspective. Also for anyone brushing off harassment as “boys being boys.” https://t.co/UX9xWxpn2K

In a series of 16 messages, Crews said he does “understand and empathize with those who have remained silent” over their alleged encounters with Weinstein, because he was once “groped” by a Hollywood executive.

“This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME,” he tweeted.

This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)